Sherman has high hopes after Triangle Lake disappointment

The Sherman Huskies left it all on the field in Blachly Friday night in their opening round state playoff football game against Triangle Lake.

Several players were battered and bruised, but the Huskies fought hard until the very end, but fell 10 points short in a 46-36 season-ending loss to the Lakers in 1A state football action.

“I am proud of the boys for giving me the effort tonight,” said Sherman coach Todd Swan. “We stuck with them and gave it everything we had. I just wish we could have scored 47 points instead of 36.”

The Huskies led 24-16 at the half, and were able to use their power running game from the trio of Blake Evans, Maverick Winslow and Brett Evans to chew up some yardage.

As the game wore on and the injuries mounted, Triangle Lake regained control of the game and surged forward in the second half.

“They were able to make plays,” Swan said of Triangle Lake. “We had a few missed tackles and blown assignments, but for the most part, I was happy with the way we defended them.”

While a successful season is in the books, Swan is using this experience, his first full year as head coach, to plant the seeds for his group of 21 players.

The future is definitely bright in Moro.

Sherman loses only a handful of seniors to graduation, but returns the Evans brothers, Winslow, Isaiah Coles, Kyle Fields and a few more as they strive to play for a championship.

“I really feel good about the core we have coming back,” Swan said. “They got to experience playoff football and it can help them from here. They are excited about the game and are willing to do everything possible to lead this program to a championship. We will get back at it next summer and then go through the process again next year. I like the team we have coming back and I know they want to get back to this point again, maybe a little further.”

Triangle Lake plays next week against the winner of Saturday’s Dufur and Monument/Dayville playoff game.